Dr. Don Berwick Endorses Ture Turnbull

Boston, MA – Dr. Don Berwick today enthusiastically endorsed Ture Turnbull, running for State Rep to represent the 11th Suffolk District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. “Ture is exactly the kind of visionary and bold leader that we need to hoist the Commonwealth to the next level of national leadership on health care coverage and progressive social policy.”

Dr. Berwick, appointed by President Obama to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency that is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and a former Massachusetts Gubernatorial Candidate, has worked closely for many years alongside Ture Turnbull in their shared quest to realize a quality affordable healthcare for every Massachusetts resident.

Dr. Berwick added, “Ture’s thorough dedication to Universal Health Coverage and his hard and persistent work on social justice and equality have inspired me for a decade. We need people like Ture in public life, now more than ever.”

“Don Berwick has always been an inspiration to me and I am humbled by his support,” said Ture Turnbull. “The window for Single Payer has been opened and together I believe we have the opportunity to cross the finish line. We need not settle for incremental progress when we can demonstrate bold, progressive leadership. And we must act. The status quo is killing people.”

The 11th Suffolk District covers parts of Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and Roxbury.

Don Berwick will be speaking soon at an event in support of Ture Turnbull’s candidacy for State Rep, and on the urgent need for a more just and equitable healthcare system for all Massachusetts residents.

About Ture Turnbull

From 2006 to 2012, Ture worked in the Massachusetts State House, serving both in the House and Senate, working side-by-side with constituents, community leaders, and elected officials fighting for social and economic justice. Ture worked in Boston City Hall for nearly another year before becoming the Executive Director of the statewide advocacy non-profit, MassCare. For the last 5 years, Ture has been directing MassCare, leading the fight for healthcare justice and for the creation of a Medicare for All / Single Payer healthcare system. In October of 2017 was able to include landmark single payer language into the Senate’s healthcare omnibus bill with a 35-3 vote, which was recently defeated in the House of Reps.

Ture advocated and secured $500,000 for youth suicide prevention when he served as a Commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth. Ture also has advocated for a number of issues that face our community. He has coordinated efforts to increase funding for the Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project, increases to the Mass Cultural Council's budget, marriage equality, fought to eliminate healthcare disparities and increase treatments for addiction, and the front of urban planning, he fought for comprehensive zoning reform to address the housing crisis.

Ture has run the Boston Marathon 5 times, once for the Massachusetts Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Ture is running for State Representative because he brings a new view that is needed on Beacon Hill, and he has the experience, energy, and commitment to help guide the Commonwealth into the future.

About Dr. Don Berwick

Don Berwick is a pediatrician by training, with a four decade career in research, teaching, and advocacy for health care reform in the US and abroad. He was selected by President Obama to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, with a budget of over $800 billion and providing coverage to over 100 million Americans. He also had a lead role in implementing the Affordable Care Act. He is the co-founder and, for 20 years, the CEO of an international non-profit organization, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and has been widely recognized for his contributions to improving care. In 2005, he was appointed Honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, which is the highest award the UK gives to non-British subjects, in recognition of his work to improve the British National Health Service.